the cowl

I've been knitting for many years now. I've knitted one sweater. For myself. Most of my projects have been neck scarves that I've made for myself & others. Always a great project that I can pick up in a moments notice or leave untouched for months. This winter I decided I needed to learn to knit something more challenging. I found this recipe for a cowl & have especially enjoyed wearing it on cold mornings when I walk the dogs. And really, it is just another neck scarf. But these things have been pretty trendy this year & here is the recipe if you want to make one for yourself. For next winter.

potato chip scarf

I always enjoy making gifts when I can. Not sure if the recipient is always happy about that. I started knitting this scarf a couple of months ago with no plans for it. As Christmas approached & I learned that red is Yizhi's favorite color, it seemed like giving this scarf to her would be a good idea. It was fun to knit. Yizhi has it wrapped around her neck a couple of times but you can still get the effect.



potato chip scarf pattern:
cast on 20 stitches
knit 8, turn
knit 8 turn
knit 6, turn
knit 6, turn
knit 4, turn
knit 4, turn
knit 20
repeat pattern until desired length.
I used size 9 needles with a worsted weight wool yarn. Use the largest needles suggested for the yarn you use. I had to knit a few inches before I could see the curls beginning.

neck scarf

I've been working on this neck scarf for the past year or so. I just like having something on my needles I can pick up when the mood strikes. The mood has been hitting me lately to work on this scarf. You know, while watching the NFL playoffs. During American Idol. I love the colors in the yarn. Bright yellow, turquoise, red, green, purple. I've been knitting it in garter stitch. Knit every row. Mindless knitting. I tried a lacy pattern that required K2tog (knit two stitches together) & I was wrestling with it every time. Became impatient. Just wanted something easy. Garter stitch it is.







A bit of Photoshop fun.











I posted on this same yarn in 2009. Didn't like that pattern either.

lost & found

Since I'd reported it missing here I should also report that the pink scarf has been found . . . in my house. I was rearranging the blankets in Jack's chair last night & found my scarf! I'm glad to have it back. I'd originally knitted it for Mavis, Don's mother. Pink was her favorite color. Not sure she wore it much if at all, but I'm making up for that.

flattered

I have used this knitted ribbing pattern for several neckscarves. I've made scarves using this pattern for Don, Austin & myself. Austin recently donated his red scarf to a good cause & asked that I make him another scarf! I am flattered by the request. Anyway he asked that the new scarf not be red. When I suggested a denim blue he thought that was ok. I found this Cascade wool yarn in color Blue Heath at the Yarn Shop. The pattern is simple & quick. I cast on 39 stitches (multiple of 4 plus 3) with my size 9 needles. The pattern is: *K2 P2; rep from* , end K2, P1. Repeat until you get your desired length. Every row is the same. A nice project when you don't want to concentrate. This scarf is about 7 inches wide but stretches out to be much wider. I bought two skeins but will end up with some left over.

knitting & the World Series

It looks like the end for the Phillies tonight. Joba Chamberlain, who is from Lincoln & pitched for the Huskers, did some relief pitching for the Yankees. Chase Utley has hit 5 home runs; that ties Reggie Jackson's record for World Series home runs. Pretty impressive even if they don't win.

I did finish my felted knitted basket. Felting involves washing the project in hot water & rinsing in cold. That process is repeated until the desired result is achieved. I washed this twice; I wish I'd have shortened the cycle as it almost turned out smaller than I wanted. Then it is air dried. Some shaping between washing cycles is helpful too. It's interesting to watch the individual stitches disappear with the felting. I'm pleased with how it turned out. Now it's time to get back to work on the scarf.

knitting & the World Series

Last night the World Series began; the Phillies vs the Yankees. The Phillies handily won 6-1. The Phillies pitcher, Cliff Lee, lasted all 9 innings! I used to watch a fair amount of baseball. Followed the Atlanta Braves at one time. But even if I've gotten out of the habit now, the World Series is different. I love watching it & it is a great time to knit. (When the ice storm hit Lincoln in October of '97 & we lost power, Don & I went to bed early & listened to the World Series on a battery powered radio.) Just in time for the World Series I started this project . . .



It'll become a felted knitting basket like this one I made for myself. The recipe calls for 500 yards of worsted weight wool. For this new project I'm using color Blue Blood Red from the Brown Sheep Company located in Mitchell, Nebraska. I buy it at my LYS.



This new project is a Christmas present. I expect to finish knitting it during the World Series & felt it later. May the best team win!

kntting project

Since I've been buying yarn lately I thought I should show evidence that I actually know how to knit. I always like having an easy project I can pick up now & then; a scarf is the perfect project for me. I am knitting this scarf on size 3 needles with sock yarn. I tried a pattern that was quite lacy but if I made a mistake (and I kept making them) I couldn't figure out how to rip back & keep the right number of stitches on my needle. So Salli at my LYS gave me this easy pattern: knit 3 rows then purl one row; repeat. I cast on 30 stitches; I want a long,skinny scarf. It creates a nice pattern that I think also complements the yarn. I've only got about a foot knitted so far so I have a lot of knitting to do.

the color of yarn

My LYS (Local Yarn Store) is The Yarn Shop. I love to stop in even if I'm not needing any yarn. The vibrant colors of the wool & cotton (and other fibers) yarn is so much fun to view. The oranges! Reds! Greens! You won't find these colors in the synthetic yarns. You can just stop in with your knitting (or crocheting) & hang out with your project with questions answered & advice given. Salli & her staff are very knowledgeable & generously share their love of knitting.